The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. kayode Egbetokun has said that the decision of the Federal Government on State Police is sacrosanct.
According to him the police must adhere strictly on whatever decision the FG takes on the issue of State Police.
Egbetokun who was speaking today during a visit to Lagos State Police Command said that the Force decided to clear the air on the issue in view of many debates and opinions on the matter.
“The president is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces,so whatever the presidecy and his management teams decide, the police will abode” said.
Egbetokun who spoke through the Coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police, South-West, Mr. Abiodun Alabi charged men and officers of the command to be discipline, hard working, and to respect human rights. He also urged them carry out their duties in the most professional style.
Alabi read the riot act to the men and officers and warned against misuse of firearms, noting that such should be used responsibly in strict accordance with the law.
He said the force would not take the issue of the state of minds of the officers lightly as the IGP has ordered Officer in Charge of Police Medical department to carry out mental and psychological evaluation test on personnel of the force .
He said the Force was already working with some consultants to build befitting accomodations for the officers and men, adding that very soon, the personnel would access their own homes.
He warned against rivalry with other sister security organisations, stressing that Nigeria Police alone would not provide the needed security for Nigerians.
He charged them to always work harmoniously with other security agencies, with a view to providing security for Nigerians.
On cultism in Lagos State, Alabi urged the men to be proactive by reaching out and engaging the youths in the areas of their command by organising lectures on the dangers of cultism.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, who welcomed the DIG to the command, said that all the security architectures put in place in collaboration with stakeholders have brought down crime rate in the state.
“It is, however, gratifying to note that since the introduction of people centered, collaborative and co-operative, crime prevention strategies by the commissioner of Police, Lagos State, crime and criminal activities in the state has0 reduced drastically to a tolerable level.
“The strategies adopted include: Prevention strategies e.g. (Intelligence raids of criminal hideouts, cordon and search) etc. Intelligence led policing. Use of modern technology device(s) (scientific aid) to track down dangerous criminals e.g. Kidnappers, Armed robbers, car hijackers etc. Extensive and Intensive Patrol and Community Policing Strategy amongst others,” he said.
The police boss in Lagos reassured the visiting DIG that the current tempo in crime fighting shall be sustained until the state was ride of all criminal elements.
DIG Alabi said he was in Lagos Police Command as first state in South-West for his working visit.
He said he would be visiting six states in the region, a visit ordered by the IG for all DIGs to carry out for on spot assessment in all commands.